Padeswood cement works in North Wales will be the site of the new carbon capture facility
The carbon capture cement plant upgrade for Padeswood will begin construction later this year, as part of a government investment of £9.4bn in carbon capture schemes announced during the Spending Review.
It will aim to capture 95% of emissions created during the cement production process.
The MPA approves of this project
Having called for carbon capture support for some time, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) is championing investment in this project, in particular.
Dr Diana Casey, executive director for energy and climate change, cement and lime at the Mineral Products Association, said: “The green light for the UK’s first carbon capture-enabled cement plant at Padeswood is a landmark step on the road to decarbonising our domestic cement industry – it will safeguard existing skilled jobs and create new opportunities too.
“Public investment in this project provides a strong vote of confidence in the technology and recognises the vital role cement plays in supporting economic growth while delivering on the transition to net zero. Decarbonising heavy industry is not only essential for meeting climate goals, but also for securing the future of communities across the country – today’s announcement delivers on both.”
Carbon capture is a key investment point
In July, chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves announced an investment of £28.6m into the Peak Cluster project.
The project is the world’s largest carbon capture project, which seeks to establish and maintain a carbon capture pipeline between cement and lime companies across the Peak District, which will then store that carbon below the Irish Sea.
This has the potential to prevent three million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere per year.
On top of the £28.6m being invested through the National Wealth Fund, £31m is being invested by private partners, including Holcim, Tarmac, Breedon, SigmaRoc, Summit Energy Evolution, and Progressive Energy.
At the time, Rachel Reeves said: “The National Wealth Fund is a force for growth, investing £3bn into the British economy and securing 12,500 jobs.
“We’re modernising the cement and lime industry, delivering vital carbon capture infrastructure and creating jobs across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and the North West to put more money into working people’s pockets.”
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: “This landmark investment will catalyse our carbon capture sector to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and growth across our industrial heartlands, as part of our Plan for Change.
“Workers in the North Sea and Britain’s manufacturing heartlands will drive forward the country’s industrial renewal, positioning them at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy transition.”
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